The Role of Institutional Credit in Enhancing Food Security Among Farming Households in Kano State, Nigeria

Purchasing Practices and Food Security among African Indigenous Vegetable Farmers in Nyanza Region, Kenya

Food insecurity remains a major concern among smallholder farming households in Kenya despite continued efforts to increase agricultural productivity and improve rural livelihoods. Previous studies have mainly linked household food security to factors such as farm production, income levels, access to extension services, land ownership, and the adoption of improved technologies. However, little attention has been given to the role of farmers’ purchasing decisions and input sourcing practices. In addition, theories widely used in purchasing and supply chain management, including Value Chain Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, the Relational View, Social Embeddedness Theory, and Institutional Theory, have rarely been applied to explain food security outcomes among smallholder farmers. This study addresses this gap by examining how purchasing practices influence food security among African Indigenous Vegetable (AIV) farmers in the Nyanza region of Kenya. A cross-sectional correlational research design was employed, and primary data were collected from 430 AIV farmers selected through stratified random sampling across six counties. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression techniques. The findings showed that purchasing practices were positively and significantly associated with household food security (R² = 0.326, F (8,421) = 25.43, p < 0.001). Collaboration with input suppliers and other value chain actors had the strongest positive association with food security (β = 0.237, p < 0.001), followed by aligning purchases with consumer preferences (β = 0.205, p < 0.001) and input supplier selection (β = 0.192, p < 0.001). Household income, farming experience, and monthly sales also had significant positive relationships with food security. This study contributes to the literature by integrating insights from food security and supply chain management and by recognising smallholder farmers as active purchasing decision-makers whose sourcing choices influence production, market participation, and household well-being. The findings highlight the importance of strong relationships within indigenous vegetable value chains in improving food security outcomes. Strengthening partnerships between farmers and input suppliers, promoting collaborative marketing, improving access to market information, and investing in aggregation centres and cold storage facilities could enhance the efficiency and resilience of indigenous vegetable markets. Farmers can further improve household food security by building long-term supplier relationships, responding to consumer preferences, and adopting more strategic purchasing practices. Key words: African Indigenous Vegetable Farmers, Food Security. Purchasing Practices, Kenya

Assessing the Causes and Impacts of Herdsmen-Farmers’ Conflict on Food Security in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Herder–farmer conflict has become a major threat to agricultural production and food security in Nigeria. This study assessed the causes and impacts of the herder–farmer conflict on food security in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through 600 structured questionnaires, of which 540 were retrieved, and through five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that competition over land and other natural resources, socio-cultural differences, and weak institutional responses were the major drivers of the conflict. The conflict significantly reduced agricultural production, displaced farming households, increased food shortages and food prices, and limited household access to food, thereby undermining food security. Guided by Resource Scarcity Theory, Social Identity Theory, and Human Security Theory, the study concludes that sustainable solutions require community-based conflict resolution, sustainable land-use management, climate adaptation, agricultural resilience, and strengthened institutional collaboration. These measures are essential for promoting peaceful coexistence and improving food security in conflict-affected communities

Prospective Impetus of Agriculture Services Post Devolution on Household Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Kenya

Background: Food and nutrition security is a major challenge worldwide. Food insecurity ranges from moderate to severe and Kenya’s expanding population coupled with challenges in agricultural extension service provision exacerbates the problem. Food insecurity and malnutrition remain common in the country, despite the administration’s various efforts to address these challenges. Methods: This study aimed at assessing the effect of changes of agriculture services post devolution on household food security. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 428 respondents were selected through multistage stratified sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Food security was calculated using food consumption score index while ordered probit was used to model the relationship between the changes post devolution and household food security. The study also used an ordered probit model to assess how changes in agricultural services under devolution affect household food security. Result: The analysis of food consumption scores indicates that 57% of farm households achieved an adequate level of dietary diversity, while 39% fell into the borderline category and 4% were classified as poor. The results show that reliable extension services, subsidized inputs, market links and higher farm profitability had a positive impact while access to superior animal breeds and interruptions in input availability had a negative impact on food security. The findings underscore the importance of dependable and economically priced agricultural services supported by enabling systems for long-term food security improvement.

Credit Access and Constraints to Livelihood Diversification among Rural Farmers in Kano State, Nigeria

Credit access is a critical enabler of livelihood diversification among rural households, particularly in resource-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions like northern Nigeria. This study examined the extent of credit access, major constraints, and their influence on livelihood diversification among 450 smallholder farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Data were collected through a multistage sampling procedure and analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logit regression, and the Simpson Diversification Index. Results revealed that respondents were predominantly male (81.1%), married, and middle-aged, with small landholdings and low monthly incomes. Farming remained the dominant livelihood activity, supplemented by livestock, poultry, and petty trading. Formal credit access was limited (31.8%), with most households relying on informal sources such as friends and relatives. The primary constraints to diversification were limited access to credit, high startup costs, and high input prices. Binary logit and other regression analyses confirmed that financial exclusion significantly hinders diversification efforts. The study concludes that financial exclusion remains the main structural barrier to livelihood diversification. It recommends expanded rural credit delivery, reduced borrowing costs, strengthened cooperative financing, and enterprise support programs to enhance household resilience and welfare in Kano State. 

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FOOD SAFETY NET PROGRAMMES AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Socio-Economic Determinants of Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Tomato Production in Apa Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Tomato production is an important agricultural enterprise that contributes to household income, employment generation, and food security in Nigeria. Despite its economic importance, farmers' willingness to participate in tomato production varies due to differences in socio-economic characteristics and production conditions. This study examined the socio-economic determinants of farmers' willingness to participate in tomato production in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 110 tomato farmers selected through a multistage sampling technique using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The dependent variable was farmers' willingness to participate in tomato production, while the explanatory variables included sex, age, educational level, marital status, household size, occupation, labour source, market access, extension access, credit access, and access to production inputs. The results of the binary logistic regression revealed that occupation was the only variable that significantly influenced farmers' willingness to participate in tomato production (p < 0.05). Farmers whose primary occupation was farming were more likely to participate in tomato production than those engaged mainly in non-farm occupations. Other variables, including sex, age, educational level, marital status, household size, labour source, market access, extension access, credit access, and access to production inputs, did not significantly influence willingness to participate. The study concludes that livelihood orientation plays a crucial role in shaping farmers' participation decisions. Strengthening agriculture as a viable livelihood option and improving farmers' access to productive resources and support services will contribute to sustainable tomato production and improved rural livelihoods in the study area.